A brief history

The Chamber has undergone a number of name changes in its history which coincide with mining and political developments in South Africa.

1887

The Chamber of Mines conceived

The Chamber of Mines’ predecessor was loosely formed on 7 December 1887, in a central hotel in Johannesburg one year after an Australian gold-digger, George Harrison, first discovered gold on Langlaagte farm.

1889

The Chamber of Mines formalised

1889 – 1896

Witwatersrand Chamber of Mines

On 5 October 1889, the Chamber of Mines was officially constituted by three founding members: Corner House, Consolidated Gold Fields and the Robinson Group to disseminate authoritative statistical information about the Transvaal Gold Fields Limited and to validate prospectuses.

Other objectives cited at the time included the promotion and protection of mining interests; the promotion of public discussion on mining industry issues; the promotion of favourable legislative measures; and the exchange of information with other public and private mining bodies within and outside of South Africa.